Marvin A. Schroder

Marvin Albert Schroder, 96, passed away peacefully September 21, 2026, at the Cornwall Manor Health Center with his wife of 58 years, Dolores “Jackie” Schroder (Jaskowiak), by his side. Reports that his last words were “Why the hell am I still here?” could not be confirmed.

Marv was born during the Great Depression in Hutchinson, Kansas, a salt mining town, one of eight children to Albert and Margaret (Miller) Schroder. Early in his life, Marv’s father, a railroad man, took a wrong turn and just kept going, leaving Maggie alone with the kids. Though he loved sports, Marv had to work after school, delivering pharmaceuticals by bicycle (technically drug “pedal-ing”) and collecting waste paper to sell.

Marv attended both Kansas University in Lawrence and K-State in Manhattan before graduating with a journalism degree from Washburn University in the capital, Topeka. He began his career there for the Topeka Daily Capital before moving to Chicago to work for the American Medical Association. He served in the Army during the Korean War as a reporter for the 28th Infantry Division newspaper, stationed in Germany; he always said how lucky he was to have that duty.

Marv was a long-time editor and writer for various health care-related organizations and associations in Chicago, a city both he and Jackie loved very much. While reporting for the AMA in 1963, Marv was sent to Dallas after JFK was shot to interview the doctors at Parkland Memorial Hospital, who told him they knew immediately there was no chance.

Marv and Jackie were always great party hosts and welcomed family, friends, and friends of friends to stay at their house in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. He loved entertaining and getting to know new people. He read books and magazines and newspapers, and of course The Daily Racing Form, which fed his passion for thoroughbred racing. He and Jackie liked to travel to new places and, as Marv would say, “knock around” for a few hours.

Marv was beloved by many in his long life, from his siblings, especially his only surviving sibling, Ivan, high school friends with whom he stayed in contact late into life, and colleagues and coworkers who appreciated his self-deprecating sense of humor, kindness, and competence. He made close friends all his life and surely will be remembered well by all.

Marv is survived by his wife, Jackie; his children Janelle Miller (Stephen); Eric Schroder (Daneen); and Paula Kerns (Brian); grandchildren Devin, Logan, David, Elise, Max, Claire and Zach; and great grandchildren Wren and Theo. The Schroder family thanks the staff at Cornwall Manor Health Center for their wonderful work with Marvin.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 2596 Cornwall Rd, Cornwall, PA 17016. A visitation will be held prior to Mass from 10-11AM at the church. Interment will be held privately at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Thompson Funeral Home, Inc. is entrusted with the arrangements. The family welcomes your memories and messages in our online guest book at thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com